SURVEYING THE LANDSCAPE

How to Revise a Literature Review

WHAT A LIT REVIEW IS NOT

WHAT A LIT REVIEW IS

• Broad survey of sources on a

particular topic

• Synthesis of those sources in

terms of relationship to topic

• Analysis of those sources by

points of comparison/contrast &

evaluation

• Presentation of Sources in

order to demonstrate which

aspects require further research

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

Researchers have conducted studies about siblings of special needs and

autistic children because this group is vulnerable to adjustment difficulties

(Cuskelly, 1999). In fact, specialists have compared the sibling-autism relationship

to the MR relationship. They have also studied the importance of the family, and

particularly the mother, in this relationship. In addition, Kaminsky and Dewey (2001)

found that the autism-sibling relationship is characterized by less intimacy and pro-

social behavior. This study likewise reports that these relationships were marked by

fewer instances of quarreling. While this phenomenon may occur because of the

unique situation of the autism-sibling relationship, less fighting is also a positive

illustration of a relationship marked by more admiration. Furthermore, Rivers and

Stoneman (2003) define this relationship as asymmetrical. These results are also

similar to the MR-sibling relationship, as reported by Knott, et al. (1995). Rivers and

Stoneman (2003) reveal, too, that parents worry about the autism-sibling relationship

in their families. The importance of the family’s influence on the autism-sibling

relationship is very useful for this research study and thus, will be discussed

in the conclusion of the literature review.

~Ellen Geib, CU

Writing Center Tutor

HOW DID ELLEN DO THAT?

Organize your sources by sub-topics: One sub-topic/paragraph

In the first sentence of each paragraph, transition from the

previous paragraph; then compose topic sentence for the

paragraph

Sum up each source in terms of what research shows

Discuss both the similarities and the differences between

those sources

At the end of each paragraph, make a synthesis statement

TYPICAL NEEDS FOR REVISION

Or: What do I do now that I have my first rough

draft?

IMPROVE YOUR THESIS

Argue for a particular evaluation of the research or

perspective on the research in one sentence near the end of

the introduction

Examples:• The current trend in treatment for congestive heart failure

combines surgery and medicine.• More and more cultural studies scholars are accepting

popular media as a subject worthy of academic consideration.• Source of examples:

http://writingcenter.unc.edu/resources/handouts-demos/specific-writing-assignments/literature-reviews

LOGICAL STRUCTURE

Break the “string of pearls”: This is not an annotated bib.Follow Your ThesisRevise material so it fits a logical structure (3 basic

choices):• Chronology (of publication or of trend)• Methodology• Thematic

Develop logical structure from rough draft:• “Post-outline” to discover organizational problems. Go.• “Shadow Draft” to discover what the sub-topics are:

Go.

Sources that don’t relate to

one another in terms of

theme/topic, methodology, etc.

Sources that aren’t peer-

reviewed

Sources that may be too

obscure

Do more research to

find sources you can

compare & contrast

Do more research to

find sources that are

significant and peer-

reviewed

REVISING RESEARCH

Eliminate Irrelevant Sources Add Relevant Sources

FLUENT WRITING

Every paragraph should flow

from & connect back to the

thesis

Each paragraph should flow

from & develop its topic

sentence

Use transitions!

Look at each paragraph,

and answer: • How does this

paragraph develop my thesis?

• How can I revise this paragraph so that it does develop my thesis?

• Do I need to eliminate this paragraph?

Look at each paragraph

and answer:• How does this paragraph

develop my topic sentence?

• How can I revise this paragraph so that it does develop my topic sentence?

• Do I need to rewrite my topic sentence?

THESIS & T.S. CHECKS

Circle Thesis Circle Every Topic Sentence

TRANSITIONS . . .

To Show Addition: and, also, further, furthermore, in addition, moreover,

next, too, first, second

To Give Examples: for example, for instance, to illustrate, in fact,

specifically

To Compare: also, similarly, likewise

To Contrast: but, however, on the other hand, in contrast, nevertheless,

still, even though, on the contrary, yet, although

To Show Time (Chronology): after, as, before, next, during, later,

finally, meanwhile, since, then, when, while, immediately

To Indicate Logical Relationship: if, so, therefore, consequently,

thus, as a result, for this reason, because, since Source: Diana

Hacker & Nancy Sommers, A Writer’s Reference, 7th ed.

PARAPHRASES

Paraphrase carefully• Avoid plagiarism!• Must translate original source into your own words & sentence

syntax• Use appropriate documentation style per assignment (APA,

MLA, Turabian, etc.)

Paraphrase accurately• Double check with original source• Fix whatever you’ve misrepresented or taken out of context

Paraphrase far more than you quote (quote only once or

twice)

Introduction• Set up & explain

literature review structure • (Thematic?

Chronological? Methodology?)

• Present thesis

BEGIN & END WELL

Conclusion• Specifically identify the

study that will follow (i.e., your original study!) as a result of this literature review.

• Specifically identify the study that should follow (i.e., the original study that some researcher should do) as a result of this literature review.

WRITING CENTER

Afternoons: MWF 1:00-5:00 & T/R 12:30-5:00 p.m.

Evenings: Sundays, 7-9 p.m. & M-R 7:00-11:00 p.m.

One hour (extended consultations) for 3000- &

4000-level courses with required papers of 8+ pages

in length (once/week)

Online appointment schedule:

http://www.cedarville.edu/Offices/Writing-Center/

Edit-an-Appointment.aspx